Children Get More Than Just Stories out of Books #TDBookWeek
Literature for Life Celebrates TD Canadian Children’s Book Week by introducing children to poet and storyteller Cassy Welburn
Toronto, ON – After promoting the benefits of reading and the importance of literacy for over 10 years, Literature for Life agrees that it’s more than just entertainment for children when they get lost in the pages of a book. Reading can bring out creativity, imagination and even courage among children who are inspired by their favourite author’s words or illustrations.
In addition to providing reading circles for young mothers, Literature for Life provides a weekly facilitated literacy program encouraging children to read and participate in learning. The program is offered at the Chalkfarm Community of Ward 7, part of a collective involving Spider Jones and his Believe to Achieve Organization; TD Bank Group; Greenwin Properties Incorporated; and Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services.
For the second year Literature for Life’s program participants will participate in TD Canadian Children’s Book Week, as they celebrate the theme All the Bookshelf’s a Stage: Celebrating the Peforming Arts.
Last year, members of the group were interviewed at CBC’s Glen Gould Studios, alongside author Alma Fullerton to discuss her book Burn. This year, we are hosting a FREE public storytelling session with Cassy Welburn, a Calgary poet and storyteller with a theatre background who has been telling stories across Canada, the U.K. and Australia for over 25 years.
Photo Credit: Marc Lemyre
Her presentation will feature folk and myth tales in the oral tradition, inspired by the night. The event will take Friday, May 10, 2013 4:00pm – 5:00pm at the Black Creek Toronto Public Library, 1700 Wilson Ave., Toronto, ON M3L 1B2. The event is free to the public.
Interested in attending? Space is limited so please RSVP your name and number of guests to tshelly@literatureforlife.org or contact Tamara at 416-203-9830 x 2.
April is National Poetry Month
The League of Canadian Poets teams up with Literature for Life!
Poetry is the art of literature and has always been an essential part of Literature for Life’s reading circles to develop skills and self-expression. As April commenced National Poetry Month, Literature for Life is happy to announce our partnership with The League of Canadian Poets (LCP).
As Literature for Life strives to serve Toronto’s marginalized young mothers, LCP acts to serve the less fortunate communities and promote a high level of professional achievement through events, networking, projects, publications, mentoring, and awards. Also, LCP administrates programs and funds for governments, private donors and encourages an appreciative readership through educational partnerships and presentations to diverse groups. These education initiatives and presentations were developed during Young Poets’ Week and featured Canadian poets reading to groups throughout Canada and the GTA.
For a complete list of initiatives and how to get involved with LCP visit youngpoets.ca. Young writers are encouraged to browse articles or join a chat-room discussion with peers and published poets. The League strives to promote equal opportunities for poets from every literary traditional, cultural and demographic background. For more information please visit the Official LCP website: www.poets.ca.
Spring 2013: Join Us at The Inaugural Read & Believe Ball
Get Your Tickets Now
In celebration of Literature for Life.
George Olliver kicks off the Inaugural Read and Believe Ball
Joined by host Liza Fromer, of Global’s “The Morning Show”
It’s not the Brazilian Ball
It’s not the Promise Ball
And it’s not even the Venetian Ball
But it promises to be a heck of a Ball
No Tuxedos No Tiaras.
George Olliver is a major influencer of the Toronto Sound and legendary R&B singer.
A former member of the Five Rouges and the Mandala,
George was also an owner of the renowned Blue Note Night Club that
hosted the likes of Sam and Dave and Wilson Pickett amongst others.
His hit “Opportunity” made it to number 5 on the charts.
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW
Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 7pm
The Eglinton Grand
400 Eglinton Ave West
Toronto, ON M5N 1A2
Tickets are 50% tax-deductible with all proceeds supporting Literature for Life’s Reading Circles
Tickets are on sale now! To purchase follow this link
The Art of Fashion Raises $17K in support of Literature for Life!
Thank you to all of our volunteers and guests, who have given of their time, energy and support to make The Art of Fashion such a success and support the work of Literature for Life!
With your commitment, energy and hard work, the dream of The Art of Fashion became a reality…
On New Year’s, Liz Hogg suggested we do a fundraising fashion and art show. She said we were going to do it with The One and Only, a fabulous boutique in Aurora.
Este Teperman, owner of The One and Only had generously agreed to support the show as a sponsor and futhermore, Marrianne Brown “…a wonderful woman who knows fashion and works at the store is going to help.”
We asked Renee Welling, a professional model if she could help. She told us she would take charge of getting the models.
Sergey Malina, Liz’s art teacher came on board offering to do a painting for us. The other students offered their work for sale! We had all the players in place but we knew we needed a good project manager who was willing to volunteer…
Courtney Kearley stepped in and she was ‘the glue’!
Next on board came hairstylists, Patricia Ristich and Anthony Watson, make-up artists, Sara Makari and Britanny MacDonald; all of Exhale Spa and Salon, who volunteered their services.
All of the pieces continued to fall into place. We needed music and AV…Anthony brought in the sound engineer, Kenny Cing.
With such an enthusiastic, willing and dedicated team, is it any surprise that $17, 000 was raised??? (more…)
Word on the Street Toronto and Literature for Life build a Partnership
Each year, Literature for Life makes an appearance at The Word On The Street, one of the world’s largest literary celebrations!
The Word On The Street Toronto is a non-profit organization that celebrates Canadian reading and writing, and champions literacy, primarily through a free, annual outdoor festival.
This year, Literature for Life has been named on of Word On the Street Toronto’s Featured Literacy Partners.
Our objectives in this partnership are:
- To raise awareness about the Literature for Life missions, visions and values
- Increase our volunteer and monthly donor databases
- Raise funds
- And have fun with this great Twitter contest:
Share memories of your favourite childhood book and WIN a Sony eReader!
Literature for Life wants you to share the title of your favourite childhood book for a chance to win a Sony Reader!
WORDS 2.0 Honourary Chair – Tanis Rideout
Literature for Life is delighted to have the amazing Tanis Rideout as the WORDS 2.0 Honourary Chair. Tanis has been a long-time supporter, former employee and workshop facilitator for Literature for Life. She a spectacular person, an talented poet and acclaimed novelist living in Toronto.
In the fall of 2005 she released her first full-length book of poetry Delineation.In 2006 she was named the Poet Laureate of Lake Ontario by the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and toured with the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie to draw attention to environmental justice issues on the lake. Her first novel, Above All Things was released in June 2012.
When we asked about her early memories of being read to, here’s what Tanis had to say:
To be entirely honest I don’t remember being read to, although I don’t doubt that it happened. What I do remember was the presence of books. My mother was and is an avid reader. She always had a book on the go – something that when I was small seemed infinitely huge and unfinishable – yet she raced through all of them, immediately picking up another one. Reading was important to her, so I have no doubt that she read to both me and my brother, I just don’t remember it.
I remember the library though. I remember taking out books over and over again. I loved Harold and the Purple Crayon and would beg to be allowed to take it home as soon as it was returned. The library was a family affair – me, my mum, my brother. For years and years.I remember moving up through picture books, to chapter books – notably Frog and Toad, to finally books without pictures and those big terrifying ones my mother used to read.
WORDS 2.0 is taking place Septemeber 7, 2012 at The Glass Factory (99Sudbury Street) from 8:30pm to 2:00am. For more information, please visit: words.literatureforlife.org
BUY TICKETS $25 in advance or $30 at the door!
RSVP on Facebook too!
WORDS 2.0 Feature: The Soul Proprietor!
WORDS 2.0 is grateful to have The Soul Proprietor perform for our fundraiser. Eon Sinclair is a man of many hats. Perhaps best known as one-third of Juno Award-winning reggae rock heroes Bedouin Soundclash, the bass player has released four records with the band and toured the globe, headlining shows and performing alongside acts such as No Doubt, Coldplay and Nine Inch Nails.
As a DJ, the Soul Proprietor brings an effortlessly cool, soulful musical vibe to the stage. Blending genres, styles, and tastes, his show gets audiences moving, bringing new music to their ears as well as the tracks they know and love.
Eon Sinclair, aka Soul Proprietor will be DJing at WORDS 2.0
Here’s what Eon had to say about literacy and the importance of reading:
My mother knew that she could find the first book that was ever read to me, and having just finished a serious deep clean of our family home, it wasn’t too hard. After the Bible, “Sara and the Door” by Virginia Allen Jensen was a close second, and these are the books that I have a memory of; the stories that my mother and father, aunts and uncles read to me whilst in my mother’s womb, I have no recollection of, but I believe that it could contribute to my love of reading and expressing oneself artistically. Early and repeated exposure to sounds, whether notes or words, seem to influence a child’s desire to learn, and I suspect this is why I maintain curiosity in so many things around me.
As an educator and principal in the elementary school system, my mother Marilyn maintains an emphasis on literacy and the importance of learning to love learning. It’s a practice that has been in place in my life since I can remember, and one equally enforced within our home as we grew up by my father. My parents say that my brother and I always loved reading and always took good physical care of our books, so much so that many of them are still intact and have been passed down through the limbs of the family tree. I am proud to take part in Words 2.0 and look forward to more successful efforts made by and in support of literacy in our community.
RSVP on Facebook for WORDS 2.0 and see the Soul Proprietor perform live for our fundraiser!
BUY TICKETS TODAY!
WORDS 2.0: A Celebration of Intellectual Potential
Lauren Shirreffs and @Tammy Talks TO will partner to chair the second annual WORDS 2.0 fundraiser as part of National Literacy Month. WORDS 2.0 is a “party with a purpose” taking place September 7th at the Glass Factory (99 Sudbury). All proceeds go towards Literature for Life. Last year WORDS raised $25,000 for Literature for Life programming.
Last year, WORDS raised $25,000 for Literature for Life programming. Their unique reading circles impact the lives of young single mothers by distilling the importance of literacy which not only benefits the mom, but also her child. The charity believes that a mother is a child’s first teacher, and WORDS 2.0 is committed to the goals and objectives of Literature for Life’s proactive and empowering approach in making a change in the community.
This year, WORDS 2.0 will feature performances from Team Rhythm Works, Eon Sinclair aka DJ Soul Proprietor from Bedouin Soundclash, Ray Gillespie, plus live art from Beckie Di Leo Ross and Tanis Rideout, author of Above All Things, as the Honourary Chair.
Food and drink for the event will be provided by Troika Vodka Lounge at the VIP Pre-party. At WORDS 2.0, catering will be served by Church Apertivo Bar and full meals from Gourmet B*tches food truck will be on site. The evening’s feature instalment, a fabulous silent auction table, will showcase items like: two tickets from West Jet, Dinner for Two at Lee’s Lounge (Celebrity Chef Susur Lee’s restaurant) a Hamilton Watch (valued at $5,000) and much more!
Plus for the tech saavy socialite, WORDS 2.0 will be projecting a live Instagram feed and a live Twitter feed for everyone to see how much we like to party! Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
All proceeds of the event will go unique reading programming specifically geared towards young teenage mothers and their children.
Drumming Duo Team Rhythm Works will be performing at WORDS 2.0
Eon Sinclair, aka Soul Proprietor will be DJing at WORDS 2.0
Tanis Rideout, long-time LFL supporter and author of “Above All Things” will be the Honourary Chair for WORDS 2.0
Recapping VOICE: International Women’s Day Art Exhibit
Back in March, Literature for Life featured VOICES: An International Women’s Day Art Exhibit, hosted by Steam Whistle Brewery in The Roundhouse Gallery Space.
“Voices” explored the complicated journey towards women finding their voice in modern times. In this exhibit, women found a means of expressing their voices, their unique identities, and the many challenging and exciting moments that surround them.
The mixed media presentation was a fusion of art, photography and poetry, speaking to the journey of women, as they move from uncertain and questioning tones of voice, to a war cry in the fight for justice; and all of the voices in between.
The poetry performed was from Literature for Life anthology entitled “Holla!’ created by the young mothers who participate in Literature for Life’s Women’s Words Reading Circle groups. The photos and artwork are contributed by many women who are connected with Literature for Life as volunteers, supporters and program participants.
The evening featured photography and paintings from talented local female artists including works from Amber King and Marni Wolf . The evening was filled with spoken word performances from Miss Cola, Whitney French, Nikita Marie and Rootz Kizzy and a screening of the Literature for Life supporting documentary “Women’s Words” by Anna Piszczkiewicz.
Here’s a slideshow courtesy of Tricia Sam and video courtesy of Nisean Lorde, recapping our wonderful event.
Special Thank You to Tricia Sam, Nisean Lorde, Erin Walker, Tamara Shelly, Helena Skrinjar, Wendy “Motion” Braitwaite, The Female Perspective Art Collective and Steam Whistle Staff.
Thank you to all those who came out to support the young mothers of Literature for Life and around the world.
Please contact us directly to order copies of “Holla!” 416-203-9830 x 2
Literature for Life’s International Women’s Day Celebration is 1 Night Away!
Friends and Supporters of Literature for Life!
The time has come to celebrate International Women’s Day with us during The Opening Night Party of our “Voice” art exhibit!
Tomorrow night, March 7th, 2012 from 7-11pm at Steam Whistle Gallery you will not only have the opportunity to view our mixed media art exhibit that has been fused with the spoken word poetry of our programming participants.
In addition to the art, other event features will include live spoken word poetry readings from Literature for Life’s publication “Holla! “; a collection of poetry written by program participants AND a screening of “Women with Wordz” a documentary by Anna Piszczkiewicz about our missions, visions and values and the unique reading circles we facilitate with teenage mothers in the GTA, empowering them to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Take a minute to view the “Women with Wordz” documentary trailer:
“Holla” Anthologies will be on sale for $10 and each attendee will receive a FREE Literature for Life bookmark.
Dress Code: Casual
Admission: FREE with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. All ages are welcome. Donations will be accepted.
Address: Steam Whistle Brewing, The Roundhouse, 255 Bremner Blvd. Toronto, ON
Event links:
Literature for Life: www.literatureforlife.org
Women with Wordz: http://womenzwordz.wordpress.com
Steam Whistle Event Page: www.steamwhistle.ca/events/eventdetail.php?id=646
